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TILTON (NH) - YOUTH ASSISTANCE - COURT DIVERSION PROGRAM - AN EVALUATION, JUNE 2, 1978-JUNE 30, 1979

NCJ Number
55107
Author(s)
H OLSON
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A FIVE-PART PROGRAM TO PREVENT YOUTH FROM ENTERING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR FIRST TIME MINOR OFFENSES IS EVALUATED. THE PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED INCREASING COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE IN THE THREE TOWNS IT SERVES.
Abstract
THE YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (YAP) SERVES THE TRITOWN AREA OF TILTON, SANBORNTON, AND NORTHFIELD, N.H. FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY LEAA ($34,145), THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE ($1,885), AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ($25,756). THE AREA IS ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED WITH LOW EDUCATIONAL LEVELS, LARGE NUMBERS OF SCHOOL DROPOUTS, LOW INCOMES, MANY BROKEN HOMES, AND HIGH RATES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE. YAP HAS FIVE GOALS: JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION, PREVENTIVE COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES, TEMPORARY CRISIS HOMES FOR YOUTH, THE PEOPLE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES ONE-TO-ONE POSITIVE ADULT ATTENTION, AND A COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE BACKGROUNDS OF THE DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ARE DESCRIBED. THE OPERATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS EXAMINED. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN EVALUATED SEVERAL TIMES AND FOUND TO BE FALLING SHORT OF MEETING PROJECT GOALS. AS A RESULT OF THIS EARLIER INPUT, MORE EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION ASPECT WHICH WAS FACING PROBLEMS AND ON COUNSELING AND BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER PROGRAMS. AS A RESULT OF INCREASED EFFORTS, THE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE: THE NUMBER OF COUNSELING REFERRALS HAS DOUBLED (FROM 104 IN 1977 TO 204 FOR THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1978), 4 CRISIS SHELTERS ARE IN OPERATION, THE PEOPLE PROGRAM HAS 16 TRAINED VOLUNTEERS, AND GROUP RECREATION PROJECTS ARE BEING PLANNED. MANY SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE COURT DIVERSION ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM.